PRE-INTERVIEW STEP 1 OF 4
We know that you would not donate unless you think your blood is safe. However, in order for us to assess all risks that may affect you or a patient receiving a transfusion, it is essential that you answer each question completely and accurately. If you don’t understand a question, ask the blood center staff. All information you provide is confidential.
Please note: If you have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive diagnostic test in the last 14 days, or are on self-quarantine restrictions – you are not eligible to donate today.
To determine if you are eligible to donate we will:
Travel to or birth in other countries Blood donor tests may not be available for some infections that are found only in certain countries. If you were born in, have lived in, or visited certain countries, you may not be eligible to donate.
If you are eligible to donate we will:
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR DONATIONTo protect patients, your blood is tested for several types of hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, and other infections. If your blood tests positive it will not be given to a patient. There are times when your blood is not tested. If this occurs, you may not receive any notification. You will be notified about any positive test result which may disqualify you from donating in the future. The blood center will not release your test results without your written permission unless required by law (e.g., to the Health Department).
DONOR ELIGIBILITY – SPECIFIC INFORMATIONCertain diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis, can be spread through sexual contact and enter your bloodstream. We will ask specific questions about sexual contact.
What do we mean by “sexual contact?” The words “have sexual contact with” and “sex” are used in some of the questions we will ask you, and apply to any of the activities below, whether or not a condom or other protection was used:
HIV/AIDS risk behaviors HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It is spread mainly by sexual contact with an infected person OR by sharing needles or syringes used by an infected person for injecting drugs.
DO NOT DONATE IF YOU:
DO NOT donate to get a test! If you think you may be at risk for HIV/AIDS or any other infection, do not donate simply to get a test. Ask us where you can be tested outside the blood center. DO NOT donate if you have these symptoms which can be present before an HIV test turns positive:
Your blood can transmit infections, including HIV/AIDS, even if you feel well and all your tests are normal. This is because even the best tests cannot detect the virus for a period of time after you are infected.
IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION DO NOT DONATE if you:
DO NOT donate if your donation might harm the patient who receives the transfusion.
Frequent Donors: Recent scientific studies have shown that frequent blood donations reduce the amount of iron stored in the body. If you donate red blood cells two or more times per year, please consider taking an over-the-counter iron supplement.